What is Nocturnal Wonderland
Nocturnal Wonderland is Insomniac's oldest festival, having launched in 1995. What started as a single-night underground event in Southern California has grown into a two-day camping festival at Glen Helen Regional Park in Devore, where the grounds sit at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains with a lake running through the property.
The 2026 edition brings music, camping, and art across multiple stages with nearly 80 artists spanning bass, melodic bass, house, techno, and drum and bass. Glen Helen's natural terrain makes it one of the more scenic festival grounds in California, with lakeside and waterfront camping options that put attendees steps from the festival entrance.
This is a strictly 18 and older event. No one under 18 is admitted under any circumstances, even with a guardian. VIP areas and alcohol require 21 and older. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
The Venue
Glen Helen Regional Park is located at 2555 Glen Helen Pkwy in San Bernardino, California. The park sits at the base of Cajon Pass with mountain views and a natural lake on the grounds. It is one of Southern California's largest outdoor event venues and has hosted Nocturnal Wonderland for many years.
The festival runs from 3:00 PM to midnight both days. Box office and will call are open 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM daily. The latest you can enter is approximately 11:00 PM, one hour before close. There are no re-entries once you exit the festival grounds. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
No ins and outs. Once you leave the festival grounds you cannot re-enter. Make sure you have everything you need before you go in each day. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
Getting There
Three airports serve the area. The venue address is 2555 Glen Helen Pkwy, San Bernardino, CA 92407.
| Airport | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino (SBD) | ~15 miles | ~20–25 min via I-215 N |
| Ontario (ONT) | ~16–17 miles | ~25–30 min via I-15 N |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | ~69–73 miles | 1 hr 20 min – 2+ hrs via I-10 E / I-15 N |
Drive times sourced from Google Maps. Allow extra time during peak Friday afternoon arrivals.
Official Insomniac Shuttles
Insomniac operates an official shuttle program with round-trip coach buses from multiple SoCal locations. These are the only official shuttle services with direct access and optimized routes to Glen Helen Regional Park. Third-party shuttles are not endorsed by Insomniac. Purchase shuttle passes only through the official Nocturnal Wonderland website via Front Gate Tickets. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
- Downtown LA / USC City Shuttle — McAlister Field. Departs approximately 1:00 PM, returns approximately 12:30 AM.
- OC City Shuttle — Fullerton Park and Ride. Departs approximately 1:00 PM, returns approximately 12:30 AM.
- Riverside Hotel Shuttle — Convention Center at 5th and Orange. Departs approximately 2:00 PM, returns approximately 12:30 AM.
- Ontario Hotel Shuttle — Best Western Ontario Airport area. Departs approximately 2:00 PM, returns approximately 12:30 AM.
Wheelchair-accessible shuttles are available. For complete details see the Nocturnal Wonderland transportation guide.
Parking
2-Day Premier Parking is $92.82 and includes a shuttle from the lot to the festival entrance, easier lot access, and shorter wait times. The lot opens at 3:00 PM and early arrivals are not permitted before then. No RVs, cargo vehicles, box trucks, panel vans, sprinter vans, or camper vans in any Insomniac parking lot. All vehicles subject to search upon arrival. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
Where to Stay
Many non-camping attendees stay in Ontario or Riverside, which are both served by official Insomniac hotel shuttles. Ontario is the top choice — it is close to ONT airport, has a strong hotel selection at multiple price points, and the Best Western Ontario Airport area is a designated hotel shuttle stop. Riverside is the other official stop near the Convention Center at 5th and Orange.
San Bernardino is the closest city to the venue but has no official hotel shuttle. Some attendees in LA or OC stay there and use the city shuttles each day. Insomniac also maintains a dedicated hotel program at nocturnalwonderland.com/travel/hotels with partner hotels in areas aligned with the official shuttle stops. For the full breakdown see the hotels near Glen Helen guide. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
Tickets
All ticket prices below are from the official Nocturnal Wonderland ticketing page and include all taxes and fees. Camping passes are sold separately from admission. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
Camping requires two separate passes. You must have a 2-day festival wristband AND a camping pass to enter the campground. A camping pass alone does not grant festival entry. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
Admission
- 2-Day GA: $199.98 (includes all fees)
- 2-Day GA + 3D Collectible Magnet: $209.98
- 2-Day VIP: $359.98 (includes all fees)
- 2-Day VIP + 3D Collectible Magnet: $369.98
Add-Ons
- 2-Day Premier Parking: $92.82
- Extra Vehicle Parking (campers only): $109.98
- 2-Day Locker Rental: $35.00
- Saturday Locker Rental: $20.00
- Sunday Locker Rental: $20.00
Always verify current availability at nocturnalwonderland.com. For the complete cost breakdown including camping see the Nocturnal Wonderland budget guide.
Camping
Glen Helen Regional Park has on-site camping with lakeside and waterfront options. Car Camping, RV Camping, and Lakeside Camping are sold out for 2026. Currently available:
- Tent Camping: $379.98 or $399.98 — 12x12 site, max 4 people, remote park and walk in
- Waterfront Camping: $519.98 or $539.98 — 12x12 site, max 4 people, steps from the festival entrance
To enter the campground you must be 18 or older with valid photo ID, be wearing your 2-day festival wristband, and have your camping pass. Small portable propane stoves are allowed in the campground with tanks up to 4 lbs per group. Butane torches and steel knives are not allowed. Prohibited items will not be returned. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com. For full camping details see the Nocturnal Wonderland camping guide.
The Lineup
The following lineup is confirmed from the official Nocturnal Wonderland 2026 lineup poster. Day assignments are not shown on the poster. Always check nocturnalwonderland.com for the most current version as changes can occur before the festival.
What to Know Before You Go
Bag Policy
The following is sourced from the official Nocturnal Wonderland Hours and Info page. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
Allowed bags:
- Clear bags not exceeding 12" x 6" x 12"
- Small clutch bags (clear or non-clear) not exceeding 6" x 9"
- Hydration packs (clear or non-clear), max two main compartments and one smaller compartment — must be empty upon entry
- Reusable water bottles — must be empty upon entry
Prohibited items inside the festival:
- Aerosol products and cans
- Balls and frisbees
- Costumes resembling public safety uniforms
- Drones and remote-controlled aircraft
- Drugs, drug paraphernalia, and illegal substances
- Gas masks
- Glass, cans, cups, and coolers
- Laser pointers and air horns
- Markers, pens, and spray paint
- Massagers
- Outside food or beverages including alcohol and candy
- Over-the-counter medication
- Pets
- Professional cameras or video equipment with detachable lenses or tripods
- Red-colored light-up wands, batons, or lightsabers
- Stickers and flyers
- Tents, large umbrellas, chairs, and blankets
- Toy guns, water guns, and slingshots
- Weapons of any kind
- Wind chairs and sofas
Totems
Maximum height 10 feet. Lightweight materials only — foam or PVC, no solid metal. Poles no thicker than 1 inch in diameter. Inflatables must be deflated on entry. Totems promoting illegal activity or hate speech will not be permitted. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
Age and ID
Nocturnal Wonderland is strictly 18 and older. No one under 18 is admitted under any circumstances, even with a guardian. Valid government-issued photo ID is required for entry. VIP areas and alcohol require 21 and older. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
Food Inside the Festival
Outside food and beverages are not allowed inside the festival. Food vendors operate inside the venue but specific prices are not published in advance. Budget generously if you plan to eat inside both days. Camping attendees can bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the campground and cook on small propane setups.
Insider Tips
Official Insomniac shuttles are the only services with direct access to Glen Helen Regional Park. Third-party rideshare cannot access the grounds. Book through the official site via Front Gate Tickets. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
Early arrivals are not permitted before 3PM. If you are driving, plan around lot opening time. Arriving hours early will not help. Source: nocturnalwonderland.com.
Ins and outs are not allowed. Once you leave you are done for the night. Make sure everything you need is in your bag before you enter the festival.
18+ to enter, 21+ for alcohol and VIP. Do not leave your ID at the campsite. You need it to get in and to buy drinks inside.
Grocery and supply options near Glen Helen are limited. Fill your cooler and buy any camping supplies before leaving the San Bernardino or Ontario area.
Music runs until midnight and shuttles return around 12:30 AM. Start moving toward the shuttle area a few minutes before the last set ends to avoid a long queue.
From the Community
Real knowledge from people who have attended Nocturnal Wonderland. The kind of stuff that does not appear on any official page.
September in the Inland Empire is hotter than you expect
Glen Helen sits inland in San Bernardino County where September afternoons regularly reach the 90s, significantly warmer than coastal SoCal. If you are coming from LA or the beach you will feel the temperature difference the moment you arrive. Dress for heat during the day and bring layers for late night once the sun is gone and the mountain air cools things down.
Waterfront Camping is worth the upgrade
Experienced Nocturnal campers consistently point to Waterfront Camping as the best value upgrade. Being steps from the festival entrance means less walking in and out and easier access between your campsite and the stages throughout the night. The standard Tent Camping area requires a longer haul.
Charge your phone before you leave camp each day
Cell service at Glen Helen gets congested during peak festival hours. A full charge and a portable battery pack are both essential. Start each day at 100 percent. If you are camping, charge everything overnight so you are not scrambling in the morning.
Set a meeting point before you split up
Once you are inside the festival, cell service can be unreliable when tens of thousands of people are all on the same towers at once. Agree on a physical meeting point with your group before you go in so you have a fallback plan that does not depend on your phone working.
What to Pack
Everything you bring into the festival must fit in a bag that meets the policy above. See the full Nocturnal Wonderland packing list for the complete breakdown.
- Valid government-issued photo ID: Required at entry. 18+ to enter, 21+ for alcohol and VIP.
- Allowed bag: Clear bag up to 12x6x12 inches or small clutch up to 6x9 inches.
- Empty reusable water bottle or hydration pack: Fill inside at water stations.
- Portable phone charger: A full day of festival use drains fast.
- Sunscreen: September afternoon sun at Glen Helen is no joke.
- Light layers: Temperatures drop noticeably after midnight.
- Comfortable shoes: You will be on your feet from 3PM to midnight.
- Cash and card: Some vendors prefer one or the other.
- Earplugs: Two nights of loud music adds up. Bring a backup pair.
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